Deacon a major doubt for Warriors

Wigan half-back Paul Deacon is rated no more than 50-50 by coach Michael Maguire to play in Friday's Engage Super League elimination semi-final against Hull KR at the DW Stadium.

The former Great Britain international, a Grand Final winner with Bradford, injured his groin 10 minutes into Sunday's agonising 27-26 play-off qualifying defeat by Leeds.

"He's seeing the specialist so there is still a chance where he might be able to get out and run," Maguire told a press conference. "He's probably a 50-50 chance at the moment and I'll give him the rest of the week to find out if he's going to be available."

If, as seems likely, Deacon is ruled out, Maguire has the option of switching either Sean O'Loughlin from loose forward or Sam Tomkins to the stand-off role.

The latter option would mean a likely switch of Pat Richards to full-back and a recall for forgotten Australian winger Amos Roberts, who has made just one senior appearance in the last two months but has been proving his fitness in the under-20s.

"We've got some good people there ready to go," added Maguire. "We're looking at all our options. All our combinations have been quite successful throughout the year.

"We've got a few decisions to make as the week goes by."

Prop forward Iafeta Paleaessina is likely to come back into the side after missing the Leeds defeat with a minor knee injury.